Question
Please see the following I’tikaaf programme which will be held in a Musjid in Pietermaritzburg.
May I participate in this I’tikaaf programme?
Answer
No, you may not participate in this Bid’ah i’tikaaf programme. It is not a valid I’tikaaf. It is not a Masnoon I’tikaaf. It is bid’ah function to wile away the time. It is motivated by riya and takabbur.
I’tikaaf is to spend the last ten days and nights in seclusion, in meditation on Maut, the Qabr and the Aakhirat. The advertised programme is nugatory of both the spirit and teachings of the Shariat. The group thikr is in fact a blatant bid’ah.
I’tikaaf is the ibaadat of an individual in seclusion and solitude. It is not a group activity as advertised in the poster and as conducted in some places. The programme testifies to the killing of the Rooh of I’tikaaf. This ‘I’tikaaf’ is an ‘itikaaf’ merely in name. It is not a Sunnah I’tikaaf. It is Waajib for Ibaadat to be maintained in the exact form taught by the Sunnah. This new fabrication is a confounded bid’ah.
The molvis of today have a penchant for projecting themselves. Their motives are corrupt, and those who may be sincere with good intentions are jaahil and short-sighted. Their Ilm is extremely deficient, hence they dwell in confusion and fabricate their own forms of worship which they peddle under Islamic designation.
These molvis should check the kutub of Hadith to see and understand the tareeqah of the I’tikaaf of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Bid’ah is among the worst sins. The bid’ati does not gain the taufeeq for Taubah because he believes that his acts of bid’ah are ibaadat, hence Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Verily, Allah deprives every bid’ati of Taubah.”
Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“The worst of things are innovations (bid’ah acts). Every person of bid’ah is astray.”
Do not waste the holy days and auspicious Nights of Ramadhaan, especially the last ten nights in the bid’ah so-called I’tikaaf which will be staged in the Pietermaritzburg Musjid.
Jaalhaque 